Last Call: Orioles ‘All In’ On Burnett

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Free agent right-handed pitcher AJ Burnett has said he wants to pitch in 2014. Once that became official, reports came out that the Baltimore Orioles were “all in” on bringing him back to Maryland. Burnett’s wife is from Monkton, MD and many feel the Orioles are a good fit. Dan Connolly of the Baltimore Sun joined Zinno on “Last Call” to discuss it.

Burnett is expected to want upwards of $15 million a year, but may only want a one year deal. Connolly said that Orioles GM Dan Duquette was willing to bring the team payroll to $100 million and they could afford to bring Burnett to Baltimore. The biggest factor would be a pitcher who could throw 200 innings for the team. No Oriole has pitched at least 200 innings since Jeremy Guthrie.

The rest of the roster needs to be filled out as well. Other free agents that the Birds were said have been in on was starter Bronson Arroyo. Connolly says that Arroyo is probably cheaper and the O’s could get him and another player, like closer Fernando Rodney and still be under that $100 million dollar payroll mark.